Rumours were rife around the July celebrations of Valentino’s 45 years in the fashion industry that he was about to retire. And now they have come true, he’s leaving the company he founded in 1960 – after he oversees one more ready to wear and haute couture collection.
“My future will be filled with new interests and challenges,” he says. “Some may be linked to fashion, as I have a strong desire to create and support institutions to promote the study of fashion design, and to preserve the history of the art of fashion.
“It will be a marvellous continuation of this amazing adventure that I had the privilege to have. Even as a young boy, my passion was to design, and I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life.”
Whatever Valentino decides to do after he leaves Valentino, no doubt it will be grand and involve his favourite colour, red. After all he did announce that at “red is the only colour after black and white”.
The question remains now, who will replace him at Valentino? Vogue.co.uk suggests that Giambattistta Valli, Stefano Pilati and Proenza Schouler duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez could be the leading choices.
“I realise the house that carries my name will go through some changes but I wish to think that the team of designers of the various lines – some of whom have been working by my side for many years – will make me proud of Valentino’s products,” Valentino adds.
